Orbea Rallon M-Team

Custom look and custom spec? Unless you’re hopelessly fussy, the MyO configurator allows you to customise your new Rallon down to the smallest detail. Smart frame details and clever storage solutions, like the integrated mini-tool and storage compartment, are just the icing on the cake. Was the new Orbea Rallon able to assert itself as the most versatile and best enduro bike of the year in our “Best Enduro Bike of 2022” group test?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike of 2022 – 11 models in review

**Orbea** Rallon M-Team | 170/160 mm (f/r)
15.6 kg in size L | € 6,638 | Manufacturer’s website

When reviewing a bike, we usually refrain from discussing the available colour options, because everyone’s tastes are different. On the other hand, with the new Rallon we’re sure that everyone will get what they’re looking for and come home with a great-looking bike. Here’s why: when buying your new Rallon, you can customise the finish using Orbea’s MyO online configurator, completely free of charge! Moreover, using Orbea’s pre-configured builds as a base, you can upgrade individual components such as the brakes, suspension, wheelset and more. Our test bike is based on the Rallon M-Team 2022 and retails at a very reasonable € 6,638. For 2022, the Basque bike manufacturer is fully committed to integration, providing the brand-new Rallon with a LockR storage compartment and mini-tool integrated into the main pivot, albeit without a Torx 25 key. While there’s a bottle cage mount in the front triangle, Orbea haven’t added a tool-strap mount on the top tube. The new Rallon comes with two different shock yokes as standard, which allows you to convert from a 29” wheel to a mixed-wheel setup with a smaller 27.5″ rear wheel. All cables are neatly routed through the frame, ensuring a neat look and quiet ride on rough descents while generously-dimensioned seat and chainstay protectors and a TPU plate on the down tube prevent chainslap and protect the frame against stray rocks and flying debris. Heavy and aggressive riders will notice a fair amount of flex in the rear end of the Rallon, which was designed with compliance in mind. That being said, the flex is something you’ll get used to after a short while.

Just the way you want it – The spec of the new Orbea Rallon 2021

Like most bikes in our ‘Best Enduro Bike of 2022’ group test, the Rallon M-Team features a high end FOX Factory suspension. Unlike other manufacturers, Orbea let you choose between a FLOAT X2 air or DHX2 coil shock to go with the 38 GRIP2 fork. The bike has 170 mm travel at the front and 160 mm at the rear, for which we highly recommend using the air shock for better progression and increased reserves. This gives the Rallon more pop while allowing the suspension to absorb bigger hits more efficiently. The Rallon M-Team comes equipped with a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain and matching XT four-piston brakes. Brake experts GALFER supply the 200 mm front rotor and 180 mm rear disc. Unfortunately, the latter is too small for the intended use of the Orbea, overheating quickly and resulting in an undefined bite point and leading to arm pump and fatigue on long descents.

**Hang loose**
After one too many close encounters with our shoes, the chainstay protector of our test bike just fell off. Zip ties are always the answer ;)

**Got everything?**
The mini-tool is securely held in place with magnets and comes with the Rallon as standard. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a Torx 25 key, which would come in handy when for tightening a brake rotor bolt or a SRAM component.

**Mini LockR..**
… the storage compartment in the down tube of the Rallon is big enough to stow all your trail essentials.

€ 6,638

Specifications

Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 175 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 4-Kolben 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Race Face Turbine 50 mm
Handlebar Race Face Next R 800 mm
Wheelset RaceFace Turbine R30 29
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI/Minion 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 15.6 kg

Specific Features

flip chip
storage compartment
configurator
integrated mini tool

**Low and lower**
The Spaniards don’t seem to be keen on having a “High” setting and refer to the two positions on the flip chip as “Low” and “Lower” instead!

**Caution hot!**
The small 180 mm GALFER rear rotor tends to overheat quickly, resulting in an inconsistent bite point and leading to painful arm pump on long descents. We recommend using a bigger rotor.

**Detour**
All cables are neatly routed through the carbon frame. However, the cable ports are positioned far down the down tube, resulting in a large cable loop and a somewhat messy cockpit.

While the Rallon comes with a chain guide as standard, there isn’t a single bash guard option in the MyO configurator. That being said, the standard ISCG mount on the Rallon allows you to fit any compatible option. The M-Team model comes stock with a RaceFace Turbine R alloy wheelset, which is paired with robust MAXXIS tires on our test bike: we combined an ASSEGAI at the front with a Minion DHR II at the rear, both with the robust and puncture proof DH casing and soft MaxxGrip rubber. If you love getting rowdy, this is the perfect tire choice, as the robust casing provides additional sidewall support, allowing you to run lower air pressures and thus generate more traction. If you aren’t as wild but still want peace of mind on the trail, we recommend running MAXXIS’ DoubleDown casing, which is a far better option than the puncture-prone EXO+ casing, regardless of your riding style and the type of terrain you ride on. With its 175 mm travel, our FOX Transfer Factory dropper ensures sufficient freedom of movement. That being said, you can also choose 150 or 200 mm travel from Orbea’s configurator at no extra charge – awesome! Regardless of the amount of travel, all droppers come with the same FOX remote, which offers silky-smooth action and is attached to 800 mm wide Race Face Next R carbon handlebars.

**Natural wallride**
The Rallon encourages you to play with the terrain and takes off easily.

The geometry of the Orbea Rallon 2021

The Orbea Rallon is available in four sizes from S to XL. The short seat tube (435 mm in size L) and its long insertion depth allow you to choose the frame size based on your desired reach and riding style. At 485 mm in size L, the reach is relatively long and paired with a moderate 637 mm stack height. Chainstay length is 440 mm across all sizes (438 mm in the mullet configuration) and doesn’t increase with the frame size. A flip chip on the shock yoke lets you adjust the head and seat tube angles as well as the bottom bracket height.

Pink, green and gold? Whatever you fancy, Orbea’s MyO configurator offers countless customisation options to adapt the look and spec to your taste and preferences.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	415 mm	415 mm	435 mm	460 mm
Top tube	572 mm	599 mm	626 mm	653 mm
Head tube	90 mm	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm
Head angle	64.5/64.0°	64.5/64.0°	64.5/64.0°	64.5/64.0°
Seat angle	77.5/77.0°	77.5/77.0°	77.5/77.0°	77.5/77.0°
Chainstays	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm
BB Drop	28/35 mm	28/35 mm	28/35 mm	28/35 mm
Wheelbase	1,202 mm	1,231 mm	1,260 mm	1,290 mm
Reach	435 mm	460 mm	485 mm	510 mm
Stack	619 mm	628 mm	637 mm	646 mm

**Helmet** Troy Lee Designs A2 | **Glasses** SCOTT Sport Shield S3
**Jersey** Troy Lee Designs Sprint Ultra Grime | **Shorts** Sweet Protection Hunter Shorts
**Kneepad** Troy Lee Designs Stage | **Shoes** ION Rascal

Riding impressions

The steep seat tube ensures an upright pedalling position, making the Rallon a great companion for long rides and epic backcountry adventures. Uphill, the suspension of the Rallon feels relatively stiff but there are still more efficient climbers in our group test. Needless to say, the heavy tire casing affects the agility and acceleration of the bik, though once you get it rolling, the Rallon winds its way up the mountain with great eagerness. However, its direct rival, the SIMPLON Rapcon pulls past it on any sort of climb.

The Orbea Rallon provides extremely accurate feedback from the ground and only uses the necessary amount of travel, allowing you to fly over the trail at full speed.

**DH casing**
Even in open corners, the Rallon generates plenty of traction. Here the robust casing offers a huge advantage, allowing you to run extremely low air pressures for more traction.

Downhill, the Rallon impresses with a very balanced riding position. The ergonomics of the cockpit push you forward into an active stance. With its stiff suspension, the Rallon provides accurate feedback from the ground and only uses its travel when necessary. As a result, the Orbea is extremely fast but at the same time smooth and composed, inspiring huge amounts of confidence on all sorts of terrain. Particularly with the air shock, the suspension of the Orbea offers lots of support and bags of pop but still generates excellent traction. On top of that, the robust DH casing of the tires allows you to run very low air pressures which offers all sorts of advantages. Only the suspension of the SIMPLON Rapcon generates more traction in open corners while also providing great support and reserves. With its stiff rear suspension, the Rallon encourages you to gap nasty trail sections and jump from one berm into the next, almost begging you to play with the trail features. Active riders will benefit enormously from the lively yet predictable character of the Rallon, which allows you to land ever bigger jumps with surgical precision. However, the Orbea doesn’t let you lean back and relax as much as the SIMPLON, always requiring concentration to keep on track. Overall, the Rallon is an excellent all-rounder that shines on all kinds of trails and is great fun to ride. Speaking of fun: even when you get a little too excited, the Orbea provides enough reserves and prevents you from eating dirt.

Tuning tips: bigger rear brake rotor | choose DH casing tires, alloy wheels and air shock from the configurator

Riding Characteristics

Uphill

sluggish
efficient

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

demanding
balanced

Suspension

harsh
plush

Fun Factor

planted
poppy

Value for money

terrible
very good

Intended Use

XC

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Conclusion

When it comes to the look of the Rallon, the MyO configurator lets you customise the paint job to suit your vision – perfect! Just as perfect are the spec options, except for the size of the rear brake rotor. The integrated mini-tool and clever storage compartment are just the icing on the cake! Together with the excellent suspension and high fun factor, the Orbea is a top-class all-rounder. Retailing at a very reasonable € 6,638, the Orbea Rallon secures our coveted Best Buy in the “Best enduro bike of 2022” group test.

Tops

customisable spec and look
well thought-out mini-tool and storage compartment
very cool, stiff suspension

Flops

small rear brake rotor
mini-tool doesn't include a Torx 25 key

You can find out more about at orbea.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike of 2022 – 11 models in review

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role.↩
How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?↩
Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec.↩
This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes.↩
How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension.↩
This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?↩
We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail.↩
No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50↩
Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70↩
Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Peter Walker

Orbea Rallon M-Team – In our big enduro bike comparison test 2022

Just the way you want it – The spec of the new Orbea Rallon 2021